New Jobs: Maricopa County Ranks #1 in U.S.
The nation's hottest job market can be found in Arizona's Maricopa County according to just-released data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. More than half of Arizona's population resides here.
Between December, 2003 and December, 2004, 75,700 jobs were created in Maricopa County. Runner-up Clark County, Nevada trailed by 29 percent, with an increase of 58,900 jobs. Construction jobs set the pace at 12.9 percent, with health care and education next at 7 percent.
Maricopa County is the 4th most populous county in the U.S (3.3 million people). It is also the nation's 14th largest county with 9,224 square miles, of which 21 square miles are water. Included here are the rapidly growing cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale and Peoria. In addition to Phoenix, the state capital, the county boasts a growing high-tech industry, along with strong manufacturing and agricultural sectors. Other regional assets include 15 institutions of higher learning, and several professional sports teams such as the NBA Phoenix Suns and the NFL Phoenix Cardinals. Phoenix's Sky Harbor Airport is the 5th busiest in the world with over 1,300 daily flights.
Maricopa County was officially established on February 14, 1871. Most of today's county was originally part of the Territory of New Mexico until 1863, when the Arizona Territory was established. The county was created as a result of the growth of Phoenix and other communities along the Salt River. It was named in honor of the Maricopa Indians who inhabited the area as early as 1775.
Maricopa County Links:
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